Control switches



1956 w. D. JENKINS ETAL 2,734,953

CONTROL swrrcmas Filed April 30, 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 WITNESSES:

|NVENTORS Stonlc L. Frank 8 n Zipuy.

X TTORNEYV Feb. 14, 1956 w D.JENK1NS ET AL 2,734,953

CONTROL SWITCHES Filed April 50, 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fig.3.

INVENTORS W|l||om D Jenkins.

Stanley L Frank 8 John Zipcuy.

BY I,

' TORNEY United States Patent CONTROL SWITCHES William D. Jenkins,Atlanta, Ga., and Stanley L. Frank, Beaver, and John Zipay, NewBrighton, Pa., assignors to Westinghouse Electric Corporation, EastPittsburgh, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application April 30,1953, Serial No. 352,094

Claims. (Cl. 200-16) Our invention relates, generally, to controlswitches and, more particularly, to switches of the push-button androtary selector type, such as are described in the copending applicationof S. L. Frank, Serial No. 348,985, filed April 15, 1953, now Patent No.2,722,573, issued November 1, 1955.

In the aforesaid copending application, there is described and claimed asingle push-button switch assembly having two independently operableswitch elements disposed for operation selectively by one operating headwhich may be rotated to make the desired selection and then depressed toactuate the selected movable contact members of the switch throughouttheir full range of travel between fixed contact members of the switch.The operating head is biased to its uppermost position when released,but remains in the position to which it was last rotated, therebyproviding an indication of the last opera tion of the switch.

The aforesaid switch was suitable for controlling the operation ofreversing contactors for an electric motor which operates a valve in apipeline, the motor being stopped by limit switches actuated at the endof the valve travel in either direction. The prior switch did notprovide for stopping the motor before the end of the valve travel inorder to set the valve in any intermediate position and it was necessaryto provide a seperate pushbutton switch in the control system to stopthe motor before the operation of a limit switch.

An object of our invention is to provide a single pushbutton switchassembly capable of controlling the stopping as well as the reversing ofan electric motor.

Another object of our invention is to provide a threepositionpush-button and rotary selector switch.

A further object of our invention is to provide a position locater for apush-button and rotary selector switch.

Other objects of our invention will be explained fully hereinafter orwill be apparent to those skilled in the art.

In accordance with one embodiment of our invention, either one of twoindependently operable switch members in a single switch assembly may beoperated by first rotating the operating head of the switch to selectthe desired switch member and then depressing the head to actuate theselected member throughout its full range of travel between fixedcontact members. Both of the switch members may be operatedsimultaneously by first rotating the operating head to a positionsubstantially midway between its extreme rotative positions and thendepressing the head. The travel of the switch member is limited tosubstantially one-half of its full travel by spacing means whichprevents the head from being fully depressed when it is in themidposition.

For a better understanding of the nature and objects of the invention,reference may be had to the following detailed description, taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a view, in section, taken along the line I--I in Fig. 2 of acontrol switch assembly embodying the principal features of theinvention;

Fig. 2 is a view, partly in section and partly in elevation, the sectionbeing taken along the line II-II in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a view, in section, taken along the line III-III in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic view of a control system utilizing the controlswitch; and,

Fig. 5 is an enlarged view, in perspective, of a spring utilized in thecontrol switch.

Referring to the drawings, and particularly to Figs. 1 and 2, the switchstructure shown therein comprises an operating unit 2 and a switch unit4. The operating unit 2 includes a tubular supporting sleeve 6,preferably of a cast metal, and having a flange 8 on the inner endthereof adapted to engage the inner side of a supporting panel 11. Asealing disc 12, composed of any desirable sealing material, such asrubber, may be interposed between the flange 8 and the inner surface ofthe panel 11.

A portion of the sleeve 6 is threaded for receiving a clamping ring 14,which is adapted to secure, the sleeve 6 to the panel 11 when theclamping ring is drawn up tightly. A washer 16 may be provided betweenthe clamping ring 14 and the panel 11. The washer 16 may carry suitableindicia for proper identification of the switch and for indicatingoperative positions of the switch.

The supporting sleeve 6 of the switch operating unit has a transverselyextending web 18 having a central opening therein for slidably receivingan operating shaft 20. A combined push-button and rotary selectoroperating head 22, composed of an insulating material, is secured to theouter end of the operating shaft 20, preferably by being molded thereon.A compression spring 24 is disposed between the operating head 22 and aretainer disc 25 seated on web 18 to normally bias the operating head 22to the outer limit of its movement.

The outer movement of the operating head 22 is limited by an actuatingmember or disc 26 which is secured to the lower end of the shaft 20 by ascrew 28. The disc 26 has a square opening therein for receiving asquare projection 30 on the lower end of the shaft 20 thereby causingthe disc 26 to rotate with the shaft 20. As shown most clearly in Fig.3, the disc 26 has a notch or opening 32 therein for a purpose whichwill be described hereinafter.

The operating head 22 has an integral projection 34 thereon fordetermining certain rotative positions of the operating head and forguiding the head in its reciprocating movement. The projection 34 alsofunctions to prevent reciprocating movement of the head while it isbeing rotated and to prevent rotation of the head while it is beingreciprocated. The sides of the projection 34 are disposed to engageopposite ends of an arcuate abutment 36 in the sleeve 6 to limitrotative movement of the head 22.

The end of the projection 34 is disposed to engage the top of an arcuateabutment 38 to prevent reciprocating the head 22 while it is beingrotated. As shown most clearly in Fig. 1, spaces 33 and 35 are providedbetween the ends of the abutments 36 and 38 for receiving the projection34, thereby permitting reciprocation of the head 22 at its extremepositions of rotative movement for a purpose which will be explainedmore fully hereinafter.

As shown most clearly in Fig. 2, the abutment 38 is divided into twosections and a space 37 is provided between the two sections forreceiving the projection 34 of the operating head 22. A raised portion39 of the web 18, upon which the abutment 38 rests, limits the downwardmovement of the head 22 when the projection 34 is in the recess 37.Thus, full-stroke movement of the head 22 is permitted when theprojection 34 is in the spaces 33 and 35, but only partial-strokemovement of the head 22 is permitted when the projection 34 is in thespace 37.

The'switch unit 4 comprises a base 40, preferably of an insulatingmaterial which is suitable for molding. The base 40 is provided withopposed recessed projections 41 and 43 on two sides thereof and has onthe same sides another pair o'f o'pposed projections '42. All of the proje'ctions 4'1, 42 and 43 are spaced apart so as to provide in effect arecessed space 44 between the inner ends of the'several projections.

The projection 41 has a recess 46 extending throughout'the length of theprojection and having an outer reduced portion forming an internalshoulder. The proje'ction 43 has a recess 47, the outer end of which isclosed. Projections 42 are spaced from oppositesides of projections 41and 43 to form spaces 48 therebetween.

Straight contact strips 54 are disposed in suitable slots 52 provided atthe inner side of each projection 42 for receiving one edge of thecontact strip with the opposite edge being received by a slot providedby a recessed projection 43. Each contact strip '54 is provided with acontact button disposed within the space 48.

Generally U-shaped contact strips 62 are disposed above the contactstrips 54. The U-shaped contact strips 62 each have one leg carrying acontact button 64. The bight portion of each contact 62 engages the base40 with the other leg of each contact strip 62 extending beyondprojections 42 and resting against a flange formed integrally with eachprojection 42. Such other legs of each contact strip 62, as well as theouter ends of contact strips 64, are provided with terminal screws 66for the purpose of securing conductors thereto. The contact strips 54and '62 are maintained against withdrawal from slots 52 by a cover (notshown) which may be attached to the base 40 by screws disposed inopenings 68 pro vided on opposite sides of the base 40.

The switch unit includes a pair of operating members 72 preferablymolded from an insulating material and disposed in the recess 46 of baseprojections 41. Each operating member has a reduced operating extension74 extending through the reduced recess opening at the outer end ofprojections 41 to provide a shoulder 76 around three sides of operatingmember 72 which is engageable with the shoulder adjacent the outer endof recess 46 to limit the extent of outer movement of the operatingmember.

A contact supporting strip is secured to the inner end of operating'member 72 and has a'bridging contact bar 78 slidably mounted thereon.The bridging contact bar 78 is provided with contact buttons 80 onopposite sides thereof at each end of the bar for making contact withthe respective contact buttons of contact strips 54 and 62.

The contact supporting strip 75 has a reduced extension '82 on which isslipped a spring supporting sleeve 84, also preferably composed ofinsulating material. A 'coil compression spring 86 is disposed in recess47 at base projection 43 to react between the closed end of this recessand sleeve 84 to normally 'bias operating member 72 to its outermostposition where the contact buttons of bridging contact bar 78 engage theupper contacts 62 on the base. A coil compression spring 87, which isweak relative to spring 86, is provided on contact supporting strip 75and reacts between operating member 72 and the contact bridging bar 78.

It will'be apparent that each operating member 72 for the switch unitmay be depressed by exerting pressure on the outer end of its operatingextension 74 tobe moved from the outer position illustrated in thedrawings, wherein the contact buttons of bridging bar 78 engage theupper set of stationary contact strips, to a position shown by brokenlines where they engage the lower set of stationary contact strips.Furthermore, the extension 74 may be moved beyond this positionbecauseof the slidable mounting of the bridging contact bar on contactsupporting strip 75, with such movement acting to compress spring 87 aswell as spring 86. When the operating extension 74 is released, thespring 86 will return" the parts to the position illustrated in thedrawings, wherein bridging contact bar 78 has its contacts in engagementwith the upper set of stationary contact members.

The switch unit 4 and the operating unit 2 may be assembled in operativerelation by screws 90 extending through openings provided at oppositeends of base 40 of the switch unit 4. The switch unit may be sopositioned that the screws 90 may engage in either pair of opposed pairsof threaded sockets 91 as provided in the flange 8 of the operating unitsleeve 6.

The switch unit 4 is a double unit in that the base is provided withcontact strips 54 and 62 in recesses at opposite sides with a movablecontact assembly for each set of stationary contact members. Eachmovable contact assembly is actuated independently by separate operatingextensions 74. Upon depression of the operating head 22 when it is atone of its extreme positions of rotation, the actuating disc 26 willengage one or the other of the separate exensions 74depending upon therot-ative position of the operating head. The other operating extension74 will pass through the notch 32 in the disc 26, thereby preventing thedepressing of that member 74.

As previously explained, the projection 34 on the operating head 22 canenter one or the other of the spaces 33 or 35 between the abutments 36and 38 to permit depressing the head 22. Thus, if it is desired toactuate the bridging contact bar for one set of stationary contactmembers, the head 22 is rotated to a position in which the projection 34can enter the space 33, and the head is then depressed to actuate theselected bridging contact bar.

Likewise, if it is desired to actuate the bridging-bar for the other setof contact members, the head is rotated to a position in which theprojection 34 can enter the space 35 after which the head is depressedto actuate the bridging contact bar. Thus, full-stroke operation of theselected bridging contact bar from its uppermost position to thelowermost position is obtained by the reciprocating movement of theoperating head 22, which movement is limited by the lower end ofprojection 34 engaging the top surface of the web 18 in one or the otherof the spaces 33 or 35.

As explained .hereinbefore, the head 22Zmay also be depressed when theprojection 34 is so disposed that it can enter the space 37 between thetwo sections of the abutment 38. As shown most clearly in Fig. 3 bothoperating members 74 will be depressed by the disc 26 when theprojection 34 enters the space 37; Thus, both bridging contact members78 are simultaneously actuated out of engagement with the upperstationary contact member 62. However, since the downward movement ofthe head 22 is limited by the end of the projection 34 engaging .araised portion of the web 18 at the bottom of the .space 37,the'bridging contact bars 78 are not.

actuated into engagement with the lowersets of stationary contactmembers 54. Therefore, only partial-stroke operation of the bridgingcontact members 78 is obtained when the projection 34 is depressedintothe space .37. Accordingly, three rotative positionsof the switch"are provided, namely, the two extreme rotative positions and anintermediate position which is located substantially midway between thetwo extreme positions.

In order to define the three rotative positions, notches 92, 93 and 94are provided in the edge of the disc .26 as shown in Fig. 3. A generallyL-shaped spring 95 having aridge 96 on one leg 'of the L is so disposedin the operating unit 2that the ridge 96 enters-one of the notches 92,93 or 94 at the respective rotativelpo'sition of the operating head. U

Since the ridge 96 extends the full length of'tlie vertical leg of the'L-shaped ispring l95, the spring retains the operating head in itsselected rotative'pos'ition whiletht':

head is being depressed to actuate the selected bridging contact member.The resiliency of the L-shaped spring member 95 permits rotation of theoperating head from one rotative position to the other with the ridge 96entering the proper notch 92, 93 or 94 to define the rotative positionof the head.

The spring 95 may be secured in position by one of the bolts 90 whichpasses through an opening 97 in the horizontal leg of the L-shapedspring. A flange 98 may be provided on the horizontal leg to assist inretaining the spring in position. As shown in Fig. 2, the spring 95 isdisposed at the bottom of the sleeve 6 between the lower end of thesleeve and the top of the base 40 of the switch unit.

The operation of the switch may be understood by referring to Fig. 4which is a diagram for a typical control unit for controlling theoperation of a motor operated valve V. As shown in Fig. 4, power for amotor M may be supplied from any suitable source through a circuitbreaker CB. The direction of operation of the motor M is controlled bycontactors OC and CC. The operation of the contactors OC and CC is, inturn, controlled by the switch unit 4 having bridging contact members780 and 780, which, as explained hereinbefore, are operated by theoperating unit of the switch. The valve mechanism V is provided withlimit switches having contact members LSOl and LSO2 which are openedonly when the valve is fully open and contact members LSCl and LSC2which are opened only when the valve is fully closed. The valve is shownin the closed position.

If it is desired to open the valve, the push-button switch is rotated tothe open position and then depressed to operate the contact member 780.When the contact member 780 is in its lowermost position, a circuit isestablished from a conductor 101 through the contact member 780,conductor 102, contact member 78c, which is in its uppermost position,the coil of the contactor OC, conductor 103, limit switch LSOl,conductor 104 to a line conductor 105. In this manner, the contactor 0Cis closed to operate the motor M in a direction to open the valve. Thepush-button switch 4 may be released as soon as the contactor 0C isclosed, as a holding circuit for the contactor 0C is established throughauxiliary contacts 0C1 on the contactor.

When the valve is fully opened, the limit switch LSOl is opened to causethe opening of the contactor OC, thereby stopping the motor M. The limitswitch LSC2 is also opened to deenergize an indicating light 106. Atthis time, the contacts for the limit switches LSCI and LSC2 are closed.An indicating light 107 is energized through the switch LSC2. The switchLSCl is closed to permit the closing of the contactor CC when thecontact member 7 8c is operated in the manner previously described.Thus, the motor M may be controlled to operate the valve V in eitherdirection.

As explained hereinbefore, it is sometimes desirable to stop the motor Mbefore the valve is fully opened or fully closed in order to hold thevalve V at any desired intermediate position between its fully openedand fully closed positions. Heretofore, this has required a separatepush-button or other switch which could be opened to interrupt theholding circuit for the contactors 0C and CC. With the present switch,the operating head may be rotated to the intermediate rotative positionand the head depressed in the manner previously described. Thedepressing of the head opens both bridging contact members 780 and 78c,thereby interrupting the holding circuits for the contactors 0C and CCwhich are maintained through auxiliary contacts 0C1 and CCIrespectively, and stopping the motor M.

Since the bridging contact members 780 and 78c cannot be actuatedthrough their entire range of travel when the operating head is in theintermediate rotative position, there is no danger of plugging the motorM as neither one of the bridging contact members can engage the lowerset of stationary contact members at this time. Thus, the motor M may bestopped at any time during the operation of the valve to hold the valveat any desired intermediate position.

From the foregoing description, it is apparent that we have provided inone assembly a push-button and rotary selector switch which is suitablefor controlling the reversing of an electric motor, and which is alsosuitable for stopping the motor prior to the normal time of stopping themotor by means of limit switches actuated by the apparatus being drivenby the motor. The present switch is particularly suitable forcontrolling the operation of pipeline valves, but it is not necessarilylimited to such applications. We have also provided for determining thethree rotative positions of the switch operating head, therebyfacilitating the operation of the switch.

Since numerous changes may be made in the above described construction,and different embodiments of the invention may be made without departingfrom the spirit and scope thereof, it is intended that all mattercontained in the foregoing description or shown in the accompanyingdrawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limitingsense.

We claim as our invention:

1. In a control switch, in combination, supporting means, two sets ofstationary contact means, each set comprising at least two separatecontact means, a movable contact member for each of said sets of contactmeans movable into and out of engagement with the contact means of itsrespective set of contact means, a reciprocable operating member foreach movable contact member, actuating means for selectively actuatingsaid operating members comprising an actuating shaft mounted in thesupporting means for rotary movement and longitudinal sliding movementin a direction paralleling the direction of reciprocable movement ofsaid operating members, an actuating disc secured to said shaft andhaving a notch therein, said operating members being biased toward saiddisc, an operating head secured to the outer end of the actuating shaftfor rotating said disc to select a desired operating member and forreciprocating said disc to actuate said selected operating member andits associated movable contact member, said disc being rotatable by theshaft while the disc and the shaft remain in the same positionlongitudinally of the shaft, the notch in said disc permitting operationof the selected operating member without operating the non-selectedoperating member, stop means in the supporting means establishing twoextreme positions of rotation for the operating head and permittingreciprocation of the head through its entire range of travel at saidextreme positions to actuate a selected movable contact member fromengagement with one stationary contact means into engagement withanother stationary contact means, and spacing means in the supportingmeans permitting actuation of both movable contact members through onlypart of their range of travel when the operating head is at a rotativeposition intermediate said extreme positions.

2. In a control switch, in combination, supporting means, two sets ofspaced pairs of stationary contact means, a bridging contact member foreach of said sets of contact means movable into and out of engagementwith the contact means of its respective set of contact means, areciprocable operating member for each bridging contact member,actuating means for selectively actuating said operating memberscomprising an actuating shaft mounted in the supporting means for rotarymovement and longitudinal sliding movement in a direction parallelingthe direction of reciprocable movement of said operating members, anactuating member secured to one end of said shaft and having a notchtherein, said operating members being biased toward said actuatingmember, an operating head secured to the other end of theactuating shaftfor rotating :said actuating member without reciprocating theactuatingmem'ber to select a desired operating'member and forreciprocating said actuating member to actuate said selected operatingmember and its associated bridging contact member, the notch in saidactuating member permitting operation of the selected operating memberwithout operating the non-selected operating member, stop means in thesupporting means establishing two extreme positions of rotation for theoperating head and permitting reciprocation of the head through itsentire range of travel at said extreme positions to actuate a selectedbridging contact member from engagement with one pair of contact meansinto engagement with another pair of contact means, and spacing means inthe supporting-means permitting actuation of both bridging contactmembers through only part of their range of travel when the operatinghead is at a rotative position intermediate said extreme positions.

3. In a control switch, in combination, supporting means, two sets ofspaced pairs of stationary contact means, a bridging contact member foreach of said sets of contact means movable into and out of engagementwith the contact means of its respective set of contact means, areciprocable operating member for each bridging contact member,actuating means for selectively actuating said operating memberscomprising an actuating shaft mounted in the supporting means for rotarymovement and longitudinal sliding movement in a direction parallelingthe direction of reciprocable movement of said operating members, anactuating member secured to one end of said shaft and having an openingtherein, said operating members being biased toward said actuatingmember, an operating head secured to the other end of the actuatingshaft for rotating said actuating member without reciprocating theactuating member to select a desired operating member and forreciprocating said actuating member to actuate said selected operatingmember and its associated bridging contact member, the opening in saidactuating member permitting operation of the selected operating memberwithout operating the nonselected operating member, stop means in thesupporting means establishing two extreme positions of rotation for theoperating head and permitting reciprocation of the head through itsentire range of travel at said extreme positions to actuate a selectedbridging contact member from engagement with one pair of contact meansinto engagement with another pair of contact means, spacing means in thesupporting means permitting actuation of both bridging contact membersthrough only part of their range of travel when the operating head is ata rotative position intermediate said extreme positions, said actuatingmember having .a plurality of notches therein, and spring meanscooperating with said notches to releasably retain said operating headat said rotative positions.

4. In a control switch, in combination, supporting means, two sets ofstationary contact means, each set comprising .at least two separatecontact means, a movable contact member for each of said sets of contactmeans movable into and out of engagement with the contact means of itsrespective set of contact means, a reciprocable operating member foreach movable contact member, actuating means for selectively actuatingsaid operating members comprising an actuating shaft mounted in thesupporting means for rotary movement and longitudinal sliding movementin a direction paralleling the direction of reciprocable movement ofsaid operating members, an actuating disc secured to said shaft andhaving a notch therein, said operating members being biased toward saiddisc, an operating head secured to the outer end of the actuating shaftfor rotating said disc to select a desired operating member and forreciprocating saiddisc to actuate said selected operating member and itsassociated movable contact member, said disc being rotatable by theshaft while the disc and the shaft remain in the same positionlongitudinally of the shaft, the notch in said disc permitting operationof the selected operating member Without operating the non-selectedoperating member, stop means in the supporting means establishing twoextreme positions of rotation for the operating head and permittingreciprocation of the head through its entire range of travel at saidextreme positions to actuate a selected movable contact member fromengagement with one stationary contact means into engagement withanother stationary contact means, spacing means in the supporting meanspermitting actuation of both movable contact members through only partof their range of travel when the operating head is at a rotativeposition intermediate said extreme positions, said actuating disc havingadditional notches therein, and spring means cooperating with saidadditional notches to releasably retain said operating head at saidrotative positions.

5. In a control switch, in combination, supporting means, two sets ofspaced pairs of stationary contact means, a bridging contact member foreach of said sets of contact means movable into and out of engagementwith the contact means of its respective set of contact means, areciprocable operating member for each bridging contact member,actuating means for selectively actuating said operating memberscomprising an actuating shaft mounted in the supporting means for rotarymovement and longitudinal sliding movement in a direction parallelingthe direction of reciprocable movement of said operating members, anactuating disc secured to one end of said shaft and having a notchtherein, said operating members being biased toward said disc, anoperating head secured to the other end of the actuating shaft forrotating said disc without reciprocating the disc to select a desiredoperating member and for reciprocating said disc to actuate saidselected operating member and its associated bridging contact member,the notch in said disc permitting operation of the selected operatingmember without operating the non-selected operating member, stop meansin the supporting means establishing two extreme positions of rotationfor the operating head and permitting reciprocation of the head throughits entire range of travel at said extreme positions to actuate aselected bridging contact member from engagement with one pair ofcontact means into engagement with another pair of contact means,spacing means in the supporting means permitting actuation of bothbridging contact members through only part of their range of travel whenthe operating head is .at a rotative position intermediate said extremepositions, spaced notches on the edge of said actuating disc, and aspring having a ridge thereon disposed to enter said spaced notches toreleasably retain said operating head at said rotative positions.

6; In a control switch, in combination, supporting means, two sets ofstationary contact means, each set comprising at least two separatecontact means, a movable contact member for each of said sets of contactmeans movable into and out of engagement with the contact means of itsrespective set of contact means, a reciprocable operating member foreach movable contact member, actuating means for selectively actuatingsaid operating members comprising an actuating shaft mounted in thesupporting means for rotary movement and longitudinal sliding movementin a direction paralleling the direction of reciprocable movement ofsaid operating members, an actuating disc secured to said shaft andhaving a notch therein, said operating members being biased toward saiddisc, an operating head secured to the other end of the actuating shaftfor rotating said disc to select a desired operating member and forreciprocating said disc to actuate said selected operating member andits associated movable contact member, said disc being rotatable by theshaft while the disc and the shaft remain in the same positionlongitudinally of the shaft, the notch in said disc permitting operationof the selected operating member without operating the non-selectedopcrating member, stop means in the supporting means establishing twoextreme positions of rotation for the operating head and permittingreciprocation of the head through its entire range of travel at saidextreme positions to actuate a selected movable contact member fromengagement with one stationary contact means into engagement withanother stationary contact means, spacing means in the supporting meanspermitting actuation of both movable contact members through only partof their range of travel when the operating head is at a rotativeposition intermediate said extreme positions, spaced notches on the edgeof said actuating disc, and an L-shaped spring having a ridge on one legfor entering said spaced notches to releasably retain said op eratinghead at said rotative positions.

7. In a control switch, in combination, supporting means having anintegral tubular portion, two sets of spaced pairs of stationary contactmeans, a bridging contact member for each of said sets of contact meansmovable into and out of engagement with the contact means of itsrespective set of contact means, actuating means for selectivelyactuating said bridging contact members comprising an actuating shaftmounted in the supporting means for rotary movement and reciprocatorymovement, an actuating member secured to one end of said shaft, anoperating head secured to the other end of the shaft and partly disposedin said tubular portion, said head being both rotatable and reciprocablerelative to the tubular portion for rotating said actuating member toselect a desired bridging contact member and for reciprocating saidmember to actuate the selected bridging contact member, stop means inthe supporting means establishing two extreme positions of rotation forthe operating head and permitting reciprocation of the head at saidextreme positions to actuate a selected bridging contact member throughits full range of travel from engagement with one pair of contact meansinto engagement with another pair of contact means, and spacing means inthe supporting means permitting simultaneous actuation of both bridgingcontact members by reciprocating the operating head when the operatinghead is at a rotative position intermediate said extreme positions.

8. In a control switch, in combination, supporting means having anintegral tubular portion, two sets of spaced pairs of stationary contactmeans, a bridging contact member for each of said sets of contact meansmovable into and out of engagement with the contact means of itsrespective set of contact means, actuating means for selectivelyactuating said bridging contact members comprising an actuating shaftmounted in the supporting means for rotary movement and reciprocatorymovement, an actuating member secured to one end of said shaft, anoperating head secured to the other end of the shaft and partly disposedin said tubular portion, said head being both rotatable and reciprocablerelative to the tubular portion for rotating said actuating member toselect a desired bridging contact member and for reciprocating saidmember to actuate the selected bridging contact member, stop means inthe supporting means establishing two extreme positions of rotation forthe operating head and permitting reciprocation of the head at saidextreme positions to actuate a selected bridging contact member throughits full range of travel from engagement with one pair of contact meansinto engagement with another pair of contact means, additional stopmeans establishing a rotative position for the oprating headintermediate said extreme positions, and said addiuonalstop means beingspaced to permit simultaneous actuation of both bridging contact membersby reciprocating the operating head when the operating head 18 at saidintermediate position.

VII

9. In a control switch, in combination, supporting means having anintegral tubular portion, two sets of spaced pairs of stationary contactmeans, a bridging contact member for each of said sets of contact meansm0vable into and out of engagement with the contact means of itsrespective set of contact means, actuating means for selectivelyactuating said bridging contact members comprising an actuating shaftmounted in the supporting means for rotary movement and reciprocatorymovement, an actuating member secured to one end of said shaft, anoperating head secured to the other end of the shaft and partly disposedin said tubular portion, said head being both rotatable and reciprocablerelative to the tubular portion for rotating said actuating member toselect a desired bridging contact member and for reciprocating saidmember to actuate the selected bridging contact member, stop means inthe supporting means establishing two extreme positions of rotation forthe operating head and permitting reciprocation of the head at saidextreme positions to actuate a selected bridging contact member throughits full range of travel from engagement with one pair of contact meansinto engagement with another pair of contact means, additional stopmeans establishing a rotative position for the operating headintermediate said extreme positions, said additional stop means beingspaced to permit simultaneous actuation of both bridging contact membersby reciprocating the operating head when the operating head is at saidintermediate position, and spring means cooperating with said actuatingmeans to define said rotative positions and to releasably retain theoperating head in said rotative positions.

10. In a control switch, in combination, supporting means having anintegral tubular portion, two sets of spaced pairs of stationary contactmeans, a bridging contact member for each of said sets of contact meansmovable into and out of engagement with the contact means of itsrespective set of contact means, actuating means for selectivelyactuating said bridging contact members comprising an actuating shaftmounted in the supporting means for rotary movement and reciprocatorymovement, an actuating member secured to one end of said shaft, anoperating head secured to the other end of the shaft and partly disposedin said tubular portion, said head being both rotatable and reciprocablerelative to the tubular portion for rotating said actuating member toselect a desired bridging contact member and for reciprocating saidmember to actuate the selected bridging contact member, stop means inthe supporting means establishing two extreme positions of rotation forthe operating head and permitting reciprocation of the head at saidextreme positions to actuate a selected bridging contact member throughits full range of travel from engagement with one pair of contact meansinto engagement with another pair of contact means, additional stopmeans establishing a rotative position for the operating headintermediate said extreme positions, said additional stop means beingspaced to permit simultaneous actuation of both bridging contact membersby reciprocating the operating head when the operating head is at saidintermediate position, and a generally L-shaped spring cooperating withsaid actuating member to define said rotative positions and toreleasably retain the operating head in said rotative positions.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,631,203 Mekelburg Mar. 10, 1953 FOREIGN PATENTS 450,043 Great BritainJuly 9, 1936

